Maggie Gorman (10), of Waitati, leads Waitati School pupils on a Puaka Matariki lantern parade last night. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Matariki marks the rise of the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, which signals the start of winter and the traditional Maori New Year.
After the parade, a pou (post) carved by Alex Whittaker was dedicated at the entrance to the school's edible garden and a hangi was held, accompanied by live music performances.
Waitati School principal Heidi Hayward said the school and community had embraced the annual festival.
''We have a really strong whanau huia and Te Maori group here and Matariki is an important celebration for them.''
The 2013 Puaka Matariki Festival started on Monday and runs until July 7.
